HC Deb 19 October 1998 vol 317 cc895-6W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the operation of the standard spending assessment formula for Inner London; and if he will make a statement. [55519]

Mr. Raynsford

We have received a number of representations about possible changes in Standard Spending Assessments and their effect in relation to authorities in Inner London and elsewhere. We are considering the arguments for and against the changes and expect to announce our proposals at the end of November or the beginning of December.

Mr. Lansley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the latest ONS figures for change in population by county since the 1991 Census will be reflected in the standard spending assessment calculations for 1999–2000. [55426]

Ms Armstrong

We will announce our proposals on standard spending assessments around the end of November or the beginning of December. We have, however, received no suggestions that we should change the past practice of using the most up-to-date population estimates published by the Office for National Statistics. These are currently the mid-year 1997 estimates which were published on 27 August 1998 in the Population Estimates Monitor PPI 98/1 (corrected in September for four local authority areas and two health authority areas).

Mr. Lansley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will reform the area cost adjustment to the standard spending assessment for local authorities to reflect the specific costs they incur and the costs they meet arising from the general labour market pressures in their area, in time for the 1999–2000 financial year. [55427]

Ms Armstrong

A wide range of options for changing standard spending assessments were set out in the report of the Standard Spending Assessment Sub-Group. I recently met with the Local Government Association and the Association of London Government to hear their views on the 1999–2000 SSA Settlement. We are now considering the merits of all of the options for change, including possible changes to the area cost adjustment, and expect to announce our conclusions around the usual time in late November or early December.